ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV21.5

V21.5

Billable

Motorcycle passenger injured in collision with pedal cycle in traffic accident

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 V21.5 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of motorcycle passenger injured in collision with pedal cycle in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V21.5 is used to classify injuries sustained by a motorcycle passenger involved in a collision with a pedal cycle during a traffic accident. This code is essential for capturing the external cause of morbidity and mortality related to traffic incidents, specifically highlighting the dynamics of motorcycle and bicycle interactions. In clinical practice, accurate coding of such incidents is crucial for understanding injury patterns, facilitating public health research, and implementing safety measures. The code applies to various injury types, including fractures, lacerations, and contusions, and is often used in emergency departments and trauma centers where such injuries are treated. Proper documentation of the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the type of vehicles involved and the nature of the injuries, is vital for accurate coding and subsequent analysis of traffic-related injuries.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Need for precise documentation of the accident circumstances
  • Differentiation between types of vehicles involved
  • Potential for multiple injuries requiring additional codes
  • Variability in reporting practices across different healthcare settings

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident details
  • Misclassification of the type of vehicle involved
  • Failure to capture all injuries sustained
  • Inconsistent coding practices among different coders

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency departments must document the mechanism of injury, type of vehicles involved, and specific injuries sustained. Detailed notes on the patient's condition upon arrival and any immediate interventions performed are also necessary.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Common scenarios include motorcycle passengers presenting with fractures, head injuries, or soft tissue injuries following a collision with a bicycle.

Billing Considerations

Emergency physicians should ensure that all relevant details are captured in the medical record to support the use of V21.5 and any additional injury codes.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Trauma surgeons need comprehensive documentation of the patient's injuries, surgical interventions, and the circumstances of the accident. This includes detailed operative notes and injury severity assessments.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma cases may involve complex injuries requiring surgical intervention, such as orthopedic repairs or soft tissue reconstruction.

Billing Considerations

Trauma documentation must clearly link the injuries to the external cause to justify the use of V21.5 and ensure accurate coding.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V21.5 When
  • According to the ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, external cause codes should be used in conjunction with the appropriate injury codes
  • It is essential to report the external cause code in the secondary position, following the primary diagnosis code
  • Additionally, the circumstances of the accident should be documented clearly to support the use of V21

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V21.5 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99284CPT Code

Emergency department visit, high severity

Clinical Scenario

Used when a motorcycle passenger presents with significant injuries requiring immediate evaluation.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must reflect the severity of the patient's condition and the complexity of the medical decision-making.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine specialists should ensure that all relevant details of the accident and injuries are documented.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed and specific coding of external causes of injuries, including those related to motorcycle accidents. This has improved data collection and analysis for public health initiatives aimed at reducing traffic-related injuries.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed and specific coding of external causes of injuries, including those related to motorcycle accidents. This has improved data collection and analysis for public health initiatives aimed at reducing traffic-related injuries.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement and compliance with insurance requirements.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be documented to support the use of V21.5?

Documentation should include details about the accident, such as the type of vehicles involved, the circumstances leading to the collision, and a comprehensive account of the injuries sustained by the motorcycle passenger.